As Atlanta's regular leftfielder in 1971, Garr hit .343 (second in the NL) and stole 30 bases. After hitting .325 (second in the NL again) in 1972 and .299 with 35 steals in 1973, he hit .353 in 1974 to win the National League batting crown and earned a spot on the All-Star team. He also led the NL with 17 triples in 1974 and 11 in 1975.

Garr was traded to the Chicago White Sox after the 1975 season and hit exactly .300 in his first two years there. He was the first hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays, and ended his career with the California Angels.

Despite his speed, Garr was regarded as somewhat defensively challenged in the outfield.